Item One - Sting is back in TNA. After a week of speculation about the "major name in the short run but not too important in the long run" (I was guessing Matt Hsyon, b/k/a Spike Dudley) the name has finally been revealed. A few people are making a bigger deal of this than it should be. First of all, it's only known that he signed a contract, and it's not even a certainty he'll appear during Turning Point. Second of all, it's not like Sting hasn't been in TNA before. He had a limited appearance deal and from my standpoint wasn't used very effectively (sit down interviews with Mike Tenay don't exactly pop buyrates, nor does wasting time with the overexposed Jeff Jarrett), but it's not like this is his first go-around with the company.

On the other hand, Sting's signing could in fact be very significant for the company. It's said by the usual insider sources (take your pick, Meltzer or any of the rest) that his deal is lucrative and he will be the best paid wrestler in TNA. That implies that he will be making more than limited appearances for a start, and that he would by necessity be a major focus of the company for the duration of his contract (gotta get your money's worth). Given that he's worked for TNA before and is probably comfortable with the key players involved and the amount of creative control he'll have (his key objection to working WWE was that he wouldn't be involved in any immoral presentation of his character) this could in fact make him a main event player for the foreseeable future. Having not worked a day for WWE since WCW folded, he's still "fresh" to both old school fans and to recent TNA converts who never saw Sting during his last TNA run. Since he also has credibility as a former multiple-time world champion and was popular for almost his entire career the sky is the limit for where Sting and TNA go from here.

Item Two - the parade of former friends and rivals for Raven continues as TNA is said to be bringing in Chris "Who Betta Than" Kanyon as his mystery opponent at Turning Point; last month's mystery opponent was PJ "Justin Credible" Polaco. Kanyon is a better choice as a wrestler (if he doesn't have any ring rust) although to be honest neither of them have popped the interest of TNA's faithful. They are just placeholders in a building feud with Larry Zybysko that is far from having peaked. If they aren't going to give Raven his rematch for the NWA World Title (it's clear they aren't) and they are going to continue the "woman controlling his life" storyline the only real place to go from here would be to bring Sandman to TNA. The only other feasible choice would be Tommy Dreamer, and WWE is certainly not about to let him jump to the competition. On the other hand if his contract expired and he walked out on his own terms the way Christian did, TNA would be crazy not to pick him up. Of course that's the problem with tying up so much money with a big contract for Sting - they may miss out on some possibly very lucrative (and bargain price) wrestling talent in future as a result. That's the "Notes" for this week - I'm ouuuuuuuuuuuut!

--- Stevie J.